Card game and method of playing card game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a card game is provided. The card game has a center card and a plurality of playing cards. The method includes placing the center card proximate to at least two players, and dealing the playing cards face-down to the players in respective source card piles. The method further includes each of the players placing one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another. If two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card. The first player that touches the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/250,551 filed Oct. 11, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to a game, and in particular to a card game and a method of playing the card game.

People enjoy playing card games. Further, people enjoy games that allow them to utilize their hand-eye coordination skills.

Accordingly, the inventors herein have recognized that it would be desirable to have a card game that allows players to utilize their hand-eye coordination skills in a fun unique way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of playing a card game in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The card game has a center card and a plurality of playing cards. The method includes placing the center card proximate to at least two players. The method further includes dealing the plurality of playing cards face-down to the at least two players in respective source card piles. Each of the plurality of playing cards have one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon which are not viewable by the at least two players when the plurality of playing cards are disposed face-down. The method further includes each of the at least two players placing one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another. The method further includes that if two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the matching face-up playing cards on the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card, the first player touching the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players associated with the matching face-up playing cards.

A card game in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The card game includes a center card and a plurality of playing cards. Each of the plurality of playing cards have one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon. The card game further includes a rule set that includes a plurality of rules. A first rule of the rule set provides that the center card be disposed proximate to at least two players. A second rule of the rule set provides that the plurality of playing cards be dealt face-down to the at least two players in respective source card piles. Each of the plurality of playing cards having one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon which are not viewable by the at least two players when the plurality of playing cards are disposed face-down. A third rule of the rule set provides that each of the at least two players place one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another. A fourth rule of the rule set provides that if two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with matching face-up playing cards on the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card. The first player touching the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players associated with the matching face-up playing cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a card game utilizing a center card, a plurality of playing cards, and a rule set in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a first side of a first playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a second side of the first playing card type shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a first side of a second playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second side of the second playing card type shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a first side of a third playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a second side of the third playing card type shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a first side of a fourth playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a second side of the fourth playing card type shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a first side of a fifth playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a second side of the fifth playing card type shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a first side of a sixth playing card type utilized in the card game of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a second side of the sixth playing card type shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Figures and in particular to FIG. 1, a card game 10 that can be played by at least two players is illustrated. The card game 10 has a center card 20, a plurality of playing cards 22, and a rule set 24.

The center card 20 and the plurality of playing cards 22 can comprise a synthetic or an organic material and can be square shaped or rectangular shaped for example, though other playing card shapes would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of playing cards 22 comprise thirty-six playing cards. Of course, in other contemplated embodiments, the plurality of playing cards 22 could be greater than thirty-six playing cards or less than thirty-six playing cards. For purposes of understanding and in one exemplary embodiment, the term “indicia” used herein refers to a graphic design and/or a color that distinguishes certain cards from each other as well as identifying cards of sub sets contained within the plurality of cards used in the game. Thus, the “indicia” is used to determine if cards in separate played card stacks, as will be discussed herein, match. Of course, the term “indicia” encompasses any distinctive marking, ornamentation or indication.

Referring to FIGS. 2-13, in one exemplary embodiment, each playing card in the plurality of playing cards 22 comprises one of six different playing card types. The six playing card types include playing card types 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 that will be explained in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 30. The playing card type 30 has a first side having an indicia 50 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 52 disposed thereon. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 30 have the first side with the indicia 50 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 50 cannot be seen by any of the players.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 32. The playing card type 32 has a first side having an indicia 54 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 56 disposed thereon. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to the players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 32 have the first side with the indicia 54 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 54 cannot be seen by any of the players.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 34. The playing card type 34 has a first side having an indicia 58 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 60 disposed thereon. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to the players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 34 have the first side with the indicia 58 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 58 cannot be seen by any of the players. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 36. The playing card type 36 has a first side having an indicia 62 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 64 disposed thereon. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to the players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 36 have the first side with the indicia 62 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 62 cannot be seen by any of the players.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 38. The playing card type 38 has a first side having an indicia 66 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 68 disposed thereon. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to the players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 38 have the first side with the indicia 66 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 66 cannot be seen by any of the players.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in one exemplary embodiment, six cards of the plurality of playing cards 22 correspond to the playing card type 40. The playing card type 40 has a first side having an indicia 70 disposed thereon, and a second side having an image 72 disposed thereon. The indicia 70 identifies the playing card type 40 as a “wild card” which can represent any of the playing card types 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 while playing a card game. Initially, when the plurality of playing cards 22 are dealt to the players, the playing cards corresponding to the playing card type 40 have the first side with the indicia 70 disposed face-down in respective card piles so the indicia 70 cannot be seen by any of the players.

Accordingly, when a playing card is referred to as being placed face-down, this means that a side of a playing card having one of indicia 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70 is placed downwardly, or is otherwise obscured, such that the respective indicia cannot be seen by the players. Alternately, when a playing card is referred to as being placed face-up, this means that a side of a playing card having one of indicia 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 66, 70 is placed upwardly, or is otherwise made visible, such that the respective indicia can be seen by the players.

The rule set 24 comprises a document containing a plurality of rules that define how the card game 10 is played with the center card 20 and the plurality of playing cards 22 by two or more players. In one exemplary embodiment, the rule set 24 of the card game 10 is shown in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1 1 The center card is disposed proximate to at least two players. 2 The plurality of playing cards are shuffled such that all of the various playing card types 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 and their associated indicia 50, 54, 65, 62, 66 and 70 are mixed up and dealt face-down to the players in respective source card piles wherein various combinations of the playing cards are dealt to each player, and evenly divided amongst the players or as evenly as possible amongst the players. 3 Each of the players sequentially take a turn placing one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another. If a player's turn arrives and their source card pile is depleted they are eliminated from the game. 4 If two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card. The first player in time that touches the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players. 5 The first player in time to touch the center card places the retrieved playing cards face-down at a bottom of a respective source card pile of the first player. 6 The players iteratively perform steps 3, 4 and 5 until one of the players has all of the plurality of playing cards, the player having all of the plurality of playing cards being declared a winner of the card game. 7 The plurality of playing cards has a wild card that can represent any one of the plurality of playing cards. While playing the card game, if a face- up playing card in one of the played card stacks is the wild card, then the first person in time to touch the center card retrieves all of the playing cards in all of the played card stacks of two or more players. 8 If three or more players are playing the card game, and if one player no longer has any playing cards in their respective source card stack and their turn has not arrived (e.g., they have not had a turn where they are eliminated as in step 3) and the other players are still placing cards one at a time on their respective played card stacks, and if a wild card is placed face-up on a played card stack or if two face-up top playing cards in two card stacks have identical indicia thereon, and thereafter if the one player without any cards in their source pile is a first player in time to touch the center card, this player retrieves playing cards in all of the played card stacks of all of the players, if a wild card was placed, otherwise this player retrieves playing cards in all of the played card stacks of the two card stacks having identical indicia thereon and these cards are added to this player's source pile. 9 If one of the players touches the center card by mistake, then that player must discard four playing cards from a top of their respective source card pile which are no longer used in the card game.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, a method for playing the card game 10 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment will now be explained.

Initially, at a first step, one of the players places the center card 20 proximate to at least two players.

Next at a second step, one of the players deals the plurality of playing cards face-down to the players in respective source card piles. Each of the plurality of playing cards have one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon which are not viewable by the at least two players when the plurality of playing cards are disposed face-down. For example, one of the players deals the plurality of playing cards 22 face-down to first, second, third, and fourth players having card piles 90, 92, 94, 96, respectively. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention these card piles provide a source of cards for playing the game and may be referred to as source card piles or primary card piles.

Next at a third step, each of the at least two players place one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile or primary card pile face-up to provide a respective played card stack or secondary card pile, one player after another. For example, first, second, third, and fourth players can place playing cards from the source card piles or primary card piles 90, 92, 94, 96, respectively, onto or to create played card stacks or secondary card piles 100, 102, 104, 106, respectively, one player after another, one playing card at a time per player.

Next at a fourth step, if two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card 20. The first player touching the center card 20 retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players.

Next at a fifth step, the first player to touch the center card 20 places the retrieved playing cards face-down at a bottom of a respective source card pile of the first player.

The players iteratively perform steps (iii) and (iv) until one of the at least two players has all of the plurality of playing cards 22, the player having all of the plurality of playing cards 22 being declared a winner of the card game.

The plurality of playing cards 20 has a wild card corresponding to the playing card type 40 that can represent any one of the plurality of playing cards 22. While playing the card game, if a face-up playing card in one of the played card stacks is the wild card, then the first person to touch the center card 20 retrieves all of the playing cards in all of the played card stacks of two or more players.

Further, if three or more players are playing the card game, if a second player no longer has any playing cards in their respective source card stack and the other players are still performing the third step described above, and if one of the other players places the wild card face-up on their respective played card stack or if two face-up top playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, and thereafter if the second player is the first player to touch the center card, the second player retrieves playing cards in all of the played card stacks of all of the players.

Further, when playing the card game, if one of the players touches the center card 20 by mistake, then that player must discard four playing cards from a top of their respective source card pile which are no longer used in the card game.

As disclosed herein and in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a card game is provided wherein if the top cards of any two player's played card stacks matches, those players are racing to be the first to whack the center card and the first player to whack the center card takes all the cards from the matching played card stacks and adds them to the bottom of their source card pile. The player who collects all the cards wins.

Accordingly and in various embodiments, the players race to be the first player to whack the center card when they see a match or wild card and collect played cards if they are the first to whack the center card. Thus an object of the game is to be the player with all the cards and win the game.

In one embodiment and to begin the game the center card is played in a center play area and the deck of cards are shuffled and an even amount of variously identifiable cards are dealt to all players. The players then place their cards in front of them face down without looking at them to create a source card pile or deck. Then each player sequentially has a turn until the game ends.

When it is a player's turn, they flip the top card from their source card pile face up and place it in front of them to create a played card stack or pile. This is that player's played card pile, which may have any number of cards in it depending on the stage of game play. Since each player has their source cards face down none of the player's are aware of what the front face of the played card in the played card stack will be so each player must watch each player's turn flipping cards.

If the top card of any two player's played card stacks match, those respective players are racing to be the first to whack the center card. The first player to whack the center card takes all the cards from the matching played card stacks and adds them to the bottom of their source card pile thereby increasing the amount of cards in their source card pile and increasing the chance that they will be a winner of the game.

When a wild card is played by any player, any player may whack the center card and claim all the cards in played card stacks. However, if a player whacks the center card and it is not appropriate to have whacked it, that player discards four cards (or any other suitable amount depicted by game rules) from the top of their source card pile and places them out of the game.

If a player's turn arrives and their source card pile is empty they are out of the game however and if a player runs of cards in their source pile and has yet to have a turn with no cards in their source card pile (e.g., their last turn caused them to flip over the last card in their source card pile) they can still obtain cards if someone plays a wild or a match to that player's played card stack they can collect cards and replenish their source card pile. If there is only one player left that still has cards in their source card pile or deck, they win.

The card game and the method of playing the card game allow players to utilize their hand-eye coordination in a fun unique way.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it should be appreciated that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The features, functions, elements and/or properties, and/or combination and combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties of the track set may be claimed in this or a related application. All subject matter that comes within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims is to be embraced within the scope of such claims. 

1. A method of playing a card game, the card game having a center card and a plurality of playing cards, the method comprising: (i) placing the center card proximate to at least two players; (ii) dealing the plurality of playing cards face-down to the at least two players in respective source card piles, each of the plurality of playing cards having one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon which are not viewable by the at least two players when the plurality of playing cards are disposed face-down; (iii) each of the at least two players placing one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another; (iv) if two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card, the first player touching the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the retrieved playing cards face-down at a bottom of a respective source card pile of the first player.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising iteratively performing steps (iii) and (iv) until one of the at least two players has all of the plurality of playing cards in a source card pile and played card stack of that player, the player having all of the plurality of playing cards is a winner of the card game.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of playing cards has a wild card therein which represents any one of the plurality of playing cards.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein if a face-up playing card in one of the played card stacks is the wild card, then the first player to touch the center card retrieves all of the playing cards in all of the played card stacks of the at least two players.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least two players is three or more players, the method further comprising: if a second player of the three or more players no longer has any playing cards in their respective source card stack and the other players are still performing step (iii), and if one of the other three or more players places the wild card face-up on their respective played card stack or if two face-up top playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, thereafter if the second player is the first player to touch the center card, the second player retrieves all playing cards in all of the played card stacks of all of the three or more players.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of indicia is six indicia.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein if one of the at least two players touches the center card by mistake, then that one player must discard four playing cards from a top of their respective source card pile which are no longer used in the card game.
 9. A card game, comprising: a center card; and a plurality of playing cards, each of the plurality of playing cards having one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon; and a rule set that includes a plurality of rules, wherein a first rule of the rule set provides that the center card be disposed proximate to at least two players; a second rule of the rule set provides that the plurality of playing cards be dealt face-down to the at least two players in respective source card piles, each of the plurality of playing cards having one of a predetermined number of indicia thereon which are not viewable by the at least two players when the plurality of playing cards are disposed face-down; a third rule of the rule set provides that each of the at least two players place one of the playing cards from their respective source card pile face-up thereby creating a respective played card stack, one player after another; and a fourth rule of the rule set provides that if two top face-up playing cards in two played card stacks have identical indicia thereon, then having two players associated with the two played card stacks attempt to be a first player to touch the center card, the first player touching the center card retrieves all of the playing cards on one of the two played card stacks associated with the other player of the two players.
 10. The card game of claim 9, wherein the plurality of playing cards is thirty-six cards and the predetermined number of indicia is six different indicia.
 11. The card game of claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of indicia are each distinct from one another, the indicia being at least one of a graphic design and a color. 